Local 4^th generation farmers, Allen and Jayme Beneker, gave a very informative presentation on their plans and process for building a new Regional Agricultural Education & Event Center, which will be located on their Beneker Family Farms, in southern Franklin County.  They currently operate a self-serve retail store on their farm, where besides selling their own farm raised beef, they sell locally produced honey products and other regionally produced food items.

When complete, their event and learning center will house multiple inspected commercial kitchens, not only for their processing needs, but for other food producers and educators to use for their own processing and educational opportunities.  The facilities will be available for various meetings, seminars and conferences, as well as receptions and other group gatherings.  They envision holding festivals on the campus as well.  These facilities and operation will be a great addition to our regional community, and a valuable resource for local beekeepers and other food and goods producers in the area.  The Benekers hope to break ground yet this year, with completion in the fourth quarter of 2026.

DEMONSTRATION/ROUNDTABLE:
Additionally, SIBA member, Jeff Montag, demonstrated mixing the granulated sugar and filling a candy-board for use on overwintering colonies.  In the process, he facilitated round-table discussion and Q&A on the benefits of candy-boards, how to make them, and what to expect during the winter when using them.  It was a good group discussion with great input added from the club members on hand.  The completed candy-board was given away as one of several door prizes.

If you've missed a previous newsletter, find them all archived here.

SIBA Meetings occur the 3rd Thursday of each month through the year with topics being added to the event ahead of each meeting. Meetings are held at 6:30pm at the Sunman American Legion unless otherwise stated ahead of time in the newsletter and website. We're also looking for volunteers to help make the club GO. Contact us to let us know you are interested in helping out!

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